Arkin

Alpha Update 0.3.6

We’ve just released a new Alpha update to our backers on Steam! The main highlights of this update are a completely overhauled Mission 2 experience, redesigned large ship destruction effects, tweaks, bug fixes, and more.

Mission 2

We spent a significant amount of time on this release to make Mission 2 more fun and polished. The changes will provide more interesting mechanics, more varied gameplay (no following Bombers around the whole mission), and a much improved atmosphere. Here’s a list with some of the main changes:

New Arkin Bomber damage model that requires accurate shot placement

New objectives to vary gameplay

New Arkin Bomber model and damage/destruction effects

Rebalanced wave timing and enemy counts

Improved Bomber AI

Updated music

Persistent debris on checkpoint loading

Two things missing in this update are complete voice acting (we’re about 50% right now) and the final music mix which is still being worked on.

Changelog

Beside the Mission 2 overhaul there are also many more improvements and fixes in this release.

Gameplay and Balance Tweaks

Reduce cluster munition damage

Slightly down AI fighter turn speed

Increase enemy damage across the board

Enhancements

Main menu now loads customization on demand instead of at start (improved menu loading time)

New damage states for Arkin frigate with new particle effects and progressive destruction

Civilian ships now feature full damage states with proper debris and new particle effects

TDF Frigates now feature full damage states with proper debris and particle effects

Created new systems for distant ships, includes warp in/out, battle, and destruction

Add check to squadron warning audio to ensure attacker is behind player

Large ship debris (frigates, civilian ships) will now persist if a checkpoint is loaded

TDF frigate is now actually destroyed in Mission 1 when dialog states that this has occurred

Added continue prompt and tips to loading screen

Implemented new debris caching system to only cache debris one for identical objects (performance improvement)

Add logic to skip tutorial after Prologue if it has already been completed

Fixed possible shield state on player where you could no longer take damage

Added missing explosion sounds to tutorial targets

Fix TDF capital hangar not disabling automatically on level load

Fix Warp HUD flashing visible briefly when the warp system is enabled

Fixed generic squad dialog playing after player death

Fix player ship “space particles” not appearing

Fix state of weapon energy mode persisting on load (audio only)

Fix hitmarkers not appearing when shooting turrets

Fix TDF Capital cannon projectile appearance

Fix issues with save system and checkpoint loading where values were being persisted unintentionally

Fix some issues with clearing mission in progress data correctly

Fix bug causing AI to return to level for far too long

Ensure cluster missiles pool impact particles

Fixed issue with debris lingering on in mission scene switches

Fix for music state persisting between scene transitions

Fix issue where having a target locked that then became an objective would hide the lock indicator

We’re very happy with what we’ve accomplished in this update (especially Mission 2) and we’re looking forward to hearing feedback from our testers. We’ve already got great plans for our next release, but in the meantime you can look forward a new Dev Blog in the coming weeks.